You have found the engineer your company needs. She is in São Paulo, the project starts in six weeks, and the standard work permit route could take months. For companies in Spain, this is exactly the problem the Highly Qualified Professional permit was built to solve.
The Highly Qualified Professional (PAC) permit, created by Law 14/2013, is Spain’s fast track for senior and specialist talent. For the company, it means speed and certainty. For the professional, it means a residence and work permit, family included, and often a very favourable tax regime.
Standard Work Permit vs. PAC
Standard employee permit
Labour market testOften required Filed withThe provincial immigration office If no answerNegative silenceHighly Qualified Professional
Labour market testNot required Filed withThe UGE-CE, online, including from inside Spain If no answerPositive silence after 20 daysSix Advantages for Your Company
- Electronic filingEverything is submitted online to the UGE-CE, without appointments.
- Fast decisionsA legal deadline of 20 days, and in our experience often faster.
- Positive silenceIf the deadline passes without an answer, the permit is deemed granted.
- Filing from SpainIf the professional is already in Spain legally, no consulate trip is needed.
- Family includedSpouse or partner and children can apply in the same procedure.
- MobilityValid throughout Spain, compatible with hybrid and remote work arrangements.
Who Qualifies?
The professional
A university degree or equivalent Or at least three years of qualified experienceThe role
A position that genuinely requires that profile A salary consistent with a qualified roleThe company
Up to date with tax and social security Real activity and capacity to hireExample
A Barcelona fintech hires a Brazilian data engineer who is already in Spain on a short stay. The company files the PAC permit online with her degree, contract and the company’s documents. Her husband and daughter are included in the same procedure, and she starts on the planned date.
What If the Candidate Lacks the Usual Paperwork?
Not every qualified professional has a degree, contracts or payslips. We have obtained approvals with alternative evidence when the file shows genuine qualification.
See also how to prove professional experience without a Spanish-style career record.
Why Company Files Get Delayed
- A salary that does not match a highly qualified role.
- A job description that does not connect to the candidate’s profile.
- The company is not up to date with tax or social security.
- Forgetting to include the family in the same procedure.
The candidate in São Paulo can be at her desk in six weeks. The right permit, filed correctly, is what makes that timeline realistic.
Talk to a Lawyer Before You Hire
If your company wants to bring in international talent, that is exactly what a consultation is for. At MigratioLex, we review your specific case, not a generic checklist. We respond within 24 hours, in English, French or Spanish.
Book Your Initial ConsultationThis article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Based on Law 14/2013, articles 71 and 76, and article 93 of the Personal Income Tax Law. The example is illustrative.
